Coding

For every lesbian horror victim, such as Brandy in Hallow’s End (2003), there exists a murderous lesbian, such as May Canady in May (2002), to remind us of the perversion traditionally associated with lesbian desire. Previously we looked at how Dracula’sDaughter coded its lesbian narrative in order to escape censor from the Legion of Decency. This week we will take a look at how Cat People (1942) established markers of “otherness” in order to code its queerness.

Just as in Dracula’s Daughter, the main character of Cat People, Irena Dubrovna, struggles against a part of her true identity she fears will render her an outcast. Irena, a Serbian immigrant, believes she is descended from a cursed tribe in which any woman who has her passions aroused will shape-shift into a killing panther. Irena’s life is complicated when she impulsively marries Oliver, a New York architect. Unable to be intimate with him for fear of the curse, Irena is sent to a psychiatrist in search of a cure. The audience is left guessing whether Irena’s paranoia is the result of sexual repression or whether her fears may be well founded.

Love Horror?

About Us!

This website will focus on horror in all its forms (fiction, film, TV). We’ll be reviewing new horror film and TV as well as posting both sustained and briefer pieces that make the case for what’s interesting about current and classic horror. We’ll also be offering “Top 10 Lists” if you’re looking for something to watch! Read More

Be the First to Know

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter and be the first to know whenever we publish a new article!